Gently Falling Flakes

"Mum, it's time for bepest! I'm HUNGRY!"

 These are the words that I have woken up to every day this week.

I looked out the window late this morning and saw snowflakes slowly whirling and twirling to the ground. As I watched the snowflakes dance, a feeling of excitement overtook me. This winter scene always seems so magical to me, especially when snowflakes are gently falling out the window. I decided it was a good morning to turn on the oven and whip up a batch of my favorite chocolate chip cookies. Hyrum went down for his nap and then my girl and I gathered the ingredients into a bowl. First we measured the margarine, then put it in the microwave to melt. Next, she dumped the sugar into the bowl. As I went back to the cupboard her little fingers made their way into the bowl for a little taste. I smiled to myself as I grabbed the margarine from the microwave and poured it in. Then it was time to mix in the vanilla. Once we had a nice soupy mixture the oats were added and swirled in. Then a few spices and then it was time for the chocolate chips. 

Again, her little fingers made their way into the bowl to pick a few chocolate chips up that were sitting on the surface. Then I gave her a few on the table to munch while I stirred in the rest of the dry ingredients. 

I left her in the kitchen for a few minutes while the cookies baked. When all was too quiet I went in to check on her and found that she had filled my measuring cup up with sugar and was eating it with her hands. Just when you thought she couldn't get any sweeter right?

Then we ate chocolate chip cookies hot out of the oven. Can there be anything better on a cozy winters day?

I've just been informed that it's time for "Munch". I think someone is growing again.

Waiting for Daddy

This afternoon shortly after 4:30 pm we began our wait for Daddy. The warm sun was illuminating my living room and the shadow of the lovely tree out our front window was cast upon the wall in the hallway. We occupied ourselves for a good half an hour making shadow puppets and playing with the sun. 

Then Hyrum got hungry for a snack and chilled out in his chair while he drank. Those little toes are the cutest things ever!

As I finish preparing dinner this song will continue to play on repeat along with this one.

And the wait for Daddy continues....

Discipline

Lately I've been struggling with the concept of obedience and discipline as I try to teach my two year old each day. It's been a frustrating learning experience, mostly because I have high expectations. The best way that Camilla can learn is from me and my example. I need to be careful how I speak, act and respond to things. When she is doing something and I feel the urge to tell her to stop, I ask myself three things.

1. Am I asking her to stop out of annoyance? (not a good reason)

2. Is it hurting anyone? (good reason)

3. Will what she is doing/learning negatively affect her in the future? (good reason)
  
These have helped me chill out a little bit and allow her to explore the world around her to the fullest. As I let her take the lead I've been able to see her in a whole new way. I am proud of her and the sweet little person that she is. It's awesome to see her grow and explore who she is as she gains more independence.

For the longest time this scripture has been on my fridge and throughout my day I would find myself repeating lines from the verses. "No power or influence ought to be maintained..." is one that gets repeated frequently. Other days it's "persuasion and long-suffering, persuasion and long-suffering.." And sometimes it's "love unfeigned".

I like the extra phrases that President Hinckley adds to these verses...

“Reproving betimes with sharpness, [When? While angry or in a fit of temper? No.] when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; [Does the Holy Ghost attend contentious reprovings? No.] and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

“That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death” (D&C 121:43–44).

Being reminded of this scripture throughout my day helped me keep things in perspective. I was still feeling flustered though and continued to read conference talks and advice from others.

"Love should be the ruling principle and the motive force."
~David O. McKay

“Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good. Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage. It is the primary cause of contented, well-developed children. Who can justly measure the righteous influence of a mother’s love? What enduring fruits result from the seeds of truth that a mother carefully plants and lovingly cultivates in the fertile soil of a child’s trusting mind and heart? As a mother you have been given divine instincts to help you sense your child’s special talents and unique capacities. With your husband you can nurture, strengthen, and cause those traits to flower”.
~Richard G. Scott

In my studies I stumbled upon a quote from a fabulous talk that has been a great help. It's perfectly simple and simply perfect.

"There is no discipline in all the world like the discipline of love. It has a magic all its own."

~Gordon B. Hinckley

Meet Saiko

 Saiko is super cute and likes to play.

Saiko made my Dad a Grampa for the third time.

Saiko is my brother's Great Dane puppy.

 

 

 My kids are in love.

Hryum couldn't stop giggling and "Ohh" ing all night

 

 

Saiko nibbled Hyrum's toes and was very gentle with the children.

 Saiko loved playing tug of war with Camilla.

We all loved spending time together as a family.

We also loved Kristen's cooking!

Walking Walking

This boy has loved being on his feet lately.

The Influence of Mother

We are still hanging at Gramma and Grampa's house for the week! As I type I am mising my hubby big time. I packed his orange Roots hoodie before we left so that I could cozy up in it whenever I needed to. FYI this is the longest time that we have spent apart in our whole 3 1/2 years of marriage. I can't wait to smooch him when he gets here tomorrow night!

Camilla has come down with a flu bug and is all feverish and snuggly. I like the snuggly part I'm not going to lie. I think I'll crawl into the big double bed with her tonight just to keep and eye on her. Since I was gone all day I took some extra time to snuggle with Hyrum before bed. I was overwhelmed with feelings of love for him. The unexpressible joy that comes from motherhood is amazing! He's been smiling, giggling and pulling himself up on furniture all week.

I have fallen in love with another quote that I spotted on a friends blog. It's been great to ponder and learn from it this week. Lately, I've been working on the "every response" part. Hopefully I'll have this mastered before all my kids leave home. Anyways, I think this quote is beautiful.

"A mother has far greater influence on her children than anyone else, and she must realize that every word she speaks, every act, every response, her attitude, even her appearance and manner of dress affect the lives of her children and the whole family. It is while the child is in the home that he gains from his mother the attitudes, hopes, and beliefs that will determine the kind of life he will live and the contribution he will make to society."

~ N. Eldon Tanner

Beauty All Around

 The sunrises have been just beautiful this entire week so far. I can't help but take pictures of them. Although I'm super tired in the morning, a part of me is glad that my kiddo's get me up to see them!

Hryum has been enjoying his time with Gramma and Grampa and has been full of smiles and giggles all week. His newest love is throwing himself backwards on the floor and laughing as he turns over and sits back up so that he can do it all over again.

This little lady has played hard this week. She's been doing "school" with Gramma and learning to recognize the numbers 1-5. She especially loves following her Auntie Emma around the house all day. She was so tired that she fell asleep on the chair this afternoon.

Be My Valentine?

Dear Mr. Stannix,
Happy Valentines Day darling. Will you be my Valentine? I put my hair in french braids this morning and thought of you. I took it out this afternoon and it's all wavy, just the way you like it. After breakfast I gave Camilla her Valentine treat (chocolate hugs). She's been wishing everyone a "Happy Balentine's day" all day and was thrilled to talk to you on your lunch break. Thanks for calling me today by the way.

It stinks being 227km away from you over Valentines. Thanks for the Valentines gift addressed from "Your Hottest Accountant Building of Love". Can't wait to cozy up next to you and watch that hockey game in the chilly Arena. Hope your day was good and you're enjoying the peace and quiet and having the bed all to yourself! Miss you like crazy!

Love,
Your wifey (and the Munchkins)

Sunrise

Dear Mr. Stannix,

This is how early I was up this morning. The sunrise was beautiful and made me think of you! I had a rather productive day (despite chatting with my sister until 2:00 am) and the kiddos enjoyed their time with Gramma this afternoon. I miss you and can't wait for next week!

Love,

Your Wifey

Hot Pink

Tonight Mr. Stannix insisted on going out to get Subway for dinner. I stole his shoe so he couldn't go because I was planning on making dinner. Then he convinced Camilla that Subway was yummy and she started getting her boots on to go with Daddy. After a mini wrestling match over his shoes he finally won and he and his girl took off to Subway. He came home later with eighteen hot pink roses. He made sure that I knew they weren't for valentines day (he thinks flowers on valentines is cliche) but "just because" roses for my long hard week. He pretty much made my week! I love that guy!